Sheet material cutting apparatus



Aug. 10, 1965 F. MOBERG SHEET MATERIAL CUTTING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 10, 1962 \2 I NVENTOR. 77mm? Mode/7' ww ATToR/vnf i United States Patent 0 SHEET l'viATERiAL CUTTZNG APPARATUS Kalamazoo, Mich. Sept. 39, 19-52, er. No. 222,481 9 Ciairns. (#Cl. sea-e12 This invention relates to sheet material cutting apparams.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a sheet material cutting apparatus adapted for cutting flexible fabric and sheets into strips of predetermined width and without tearing or fracturing the material otherwise than by the cuts and which results in clean cut edges on the strips.

Second, to provide an apparatus having the above advantages which permits the operation of a cutter reciproeating blade driven at high speed.

Third, to provide an apparatus having these advantages which is relatively simple and economical in structure and easily operated.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying my invention in use position, certain parts being shown conventionally.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view with the sheet holder apparatus in open position, a strip of fabric material being indicated in partially placed position, the slots for the cutter blade being indicated by single lines in part.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view on a line corresponding to line 33 of FIG. 1 with a fabric or sheet material conventionally illustrated in clamping position in the apparatus prior to cutting.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to that of FIG. 3 illustrating the material in the device after it is cut.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on a line corresponding to line S-5 of FIG. 1, a cutting implement being illustrated by dotted lines.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view generally corresponding to FIG. 3 of a modified form or embodiment of my invention, the modification being in the form of the material of the work clamp members.

It should be understood that in the accompanying drawing some of the cutter receiving slots in PEG. 1 and the cutter receiving slots in FIG. 2 are indicated by single lines for convenience of illustration but they are open slots adapted to receive the reciprocating blade of the cutter as will be hereinafter described.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated is especially designed for cutting fabrics conventionally illustrated at 1 in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. It should be further understood that the embodiment of my invention illustrated is a portable structure designed to be positioned upon a table or a like surface and comprises bar-like rear and front base members 2 and 3 of rectangular cross section.

The bed member designated generally by the numeral 4 comprises a plurality of laterally spaced parallel strips 5 of rectangular section, these being spaced to provide parallel blade receiving slots 6. These members 5 are secured to the front and rear base members as by means of screws or nails, conventionally illustrated at 7. Uprights designated generally by the numeral 8 are mounted on the ends of the rear base member 2 to project upwardly therefrom, these being formed of angle iron strips disposed in spaced relation to provide vertical slots 9 and fixedly secured to the ends of the rear base member by the fasteners iii.

In the embodiment illustrated the work clamp member designated generally by the numeral 11 is formed of a plurality of laterally spaced bar-like members 25 spaced to provide the slots 6 and fixedly secured at their rear ends to the rear cross bar 12 by means of fasteners conventionally shown at 13. The rear cross bar 12 is provided with journals 14 which engage the vertical slots in the uprights 8 mounted on the rear base member. The clamp member units are connected at their front ends to the front cross bar 15 as by means of fasteners conventionally illustrated at in. The work clamp member is held in work clamping position at its rear end by means of the coil spring 17, one end of which is fixedly connected to the rear base member 2 as by screws 18 and the otherend to the top of the member 12 as by the screw 19. This spring serves the double purpose of holding the work clamp member in open position, as shown in PEG. 2, and app1ying clamping stress thereto when adjusted to work clamping position as shown in other figures.

The front base member 3 is provided with upwardly projecting springably yieldable keepers 2%; which are conformed to retain and urge the work clamp member to work clamping position, see FIG. 1. \Nith this arrangement of par-ts the work 1 is clampingly engaged between the bed member and work clamp member. The slots 6 of the bed member and work clamp member are in vertical alignment, as illustrated, to receive the blade 21 of a cutter apparatus designated generally by the numeral 22; and provided with a base plate 23 slidable upon the top of the work clamp member which is planar so that the cutter may be slidably manipulated from front to rear of the device with the blade projecting into a slot. The work is clamped so that it is effectively cut without tearing.

in the embodiment illustrated the slots are provided with enlargements 24- to facilitate the insertion of the cutter lade into the slots.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 the parts are functionally the same as in FIGS. 1 to 5 inclusive but the bed member 26 and the clamp member 27 are formed of plastic or molded material instead of being formed of wood. However, it is desired to point out the applicant has not conventionally illustrated the material used in FIGS. 1 to 5 inclusive but the front and rear base members and the parts of the bed member and the work clamp member may be formed of wood.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a highly practical embodiment thereof. have not attemptee to illustrate or describe other adaptations or embodiments as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the invention as may be desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising laterally spaced bar-like front and rear base members, a bed member supportedly mounted on said base members and having a plurality of laterally spaced parallel cutter blade receiving slots extending from front to rear thereof, uprights mounted on the ends of said rear base member to project upwardly therefrom and having vertical slots therein, a work clamp member having a rear crossbar provided with journals engaged in said vertical slots in said uprights for pivotal and vertical adjustment therein, a front crossbar on the underside of and disposed at the front edge of said bed member when in closed position, said work clamp member having a plurality of blade receiving slots therein aligned with said blade receiving slots in said bed member when said work clamp member is in closed work clamping position, the upper surface of said work clamp member being planar and adapted to slidably support a cutter device having a powered blade adapted to be disposed through the aligned slots in said bed and clamp members, upwardly projecting springably yielding keepers mounted on the ends of said front base member to springably receive and releasably hold said work clamp member in its closed position, and a coiled spring connected at one end to said rear base member and at its other end to said crossbar at the rear end of said clamp member and acting to clampingly hold the rear end of said work clamp member in its closed work engaging position and also in upright position with its rear edge in supported engagement with said bed member.

2. An apparatus of the class described comprising laterally spaced bar-like front and rear base members, a bed member supportedly mounted on said base members and having a plurality of laterally spaced parallel cutter blade receiving slots extending from front to rear thereof, uprights mounted on the ends of said rear base member to project upwardly therefrom and having vertical slots therein, a work clamp member having a rear crossbar provided with journals engaged in said vertical slots in said uprights for pivotal and vertical adjustment therein, said work clamp member having a plurality of blade receiving slots therein aligned with said blade receiving slots in said bed member when said work clamp member is in closed work clamping position, the upper surface of said work clamp member being planar and adapted to slidably support a cutter device having a powered blade adapted to be disposed through the aligned slots in said bed and clamp members, upwardly projecting springably yielding keepers mounted on the ends of said front base member to springably receive and releasably hold said work clamp member in its closed position, and a coiled spring connected at one end to said rear base member and at its other end to said crossbar at the rear end of said clamp member and acting to clampingly hold the rear end of said work clamp member in its closed work engaging position and also in upright position with its rear edge in supported engagement with said bed member.

3. An apparatus of the class described comprising laterally spaced bar-like front and rear base members, a bed member supportedly monuted on said base members and having a plurality of laterally spaced parallel cutter blade receiving slots extending from front to rear thereof, uprights mounted on the ends of said rear base member to project upwardly therefrom and having vertical slots therein, a work clamp member having a rear crossbar provided with journals engaged in said vertical slots in said uprights for pivotal and vertical adjustment therein, a front crossbar on the underside of and disposed at the front edge of said bed member when in closed position, said work clamp member having a plurality of blade receiving slots therein aligned with said blade receiving slots in said bed member when said work clamp member is in closed Work clamping position, the upper surface of said work clamp member being planar and adapted to slidably support a cutter device having a powered blade adapted to be disposed through the aligned slots in said bed and clamp members, and a coiled spring connected at one end to said rear base member and at its other end to said crossbar at the rear end of said clamp member and acting to clampingly hold the rear end of said work clamp member in its closed work engaging position and also in upright position with its rear edge in supported engagement with said bed member.

4. An apparatus of the class described comprising laterally spaced bar-like front and rear base members, a bed member supportedly mounted on said base members and having a plurality of lateral spaced parallel cutter blade receiving slots extending from front to rear thereof, uprights mounted on the ends of said rear base member to project upwardly therefrom and having vertical slots therein, a work clamp member having a rear crossbar provided with journals engaged in said vertical slots in said uprights for pivotal and vertical adjustment therein, said work clamp member having a plurality of blade receiving slots therein aligned with said blade receiving slots in said bed member when said work clamp member is in closed work clamping position, the upper surface of said work clamp member being planar and adapted to slidably support a cutter device having a powered blade adapted to be disposed through the aligned slots in said bed and clamp members, and a coiled spring connected at one end to said rear base member and at its other end to said crossbar at the rear end of said clamp member and acting to clampingly hold the rear end of said work clamp member in its closed work engaging position and also in upright position with its rear edge in supported engagement with said bed member.

5. An apparatus of the class described comprising a bed member provided with supports for supporting it in an elevated position relative to a surface on which it is disposed, and having a plurality of laterally spaced cutter receiving srots extending from front to rear thereof, uprights disposed at the rear end of said bed member to project upwardly therefrom and having vertical slots therein, a work clamp member having a rear member provided with journals engaged in said vertical slots in said uprights for pivotal and vertical adjustment therein, said Work clamp member having a plurality of blade receiving slots therein aligned with said blade receiving slots of said bed member when the Work clamp member is in work clamping position, the upper surface of said work clamp member being adapted to slidably support a cutter device having a blade adapted to be disposed through the aligned slots in said bed member and clamp member, a coil spring connected at one end to said bed member and at the other end of said work clamp member and acting to clampingly hold the rear end of said work clamp member in work engaging position and also to yieldably support it in retracted position, and keepers connected to said bed member to project upwardly therefrom and adapted to releasably and compressibly hold the front end of said clamp member in work holding position.

6. An apparatus of the class described comprising a bed member provided with supports for supporting it in an elevated position relative to a surface on which it is disposed, and having a plurality of laterally spaced cutter receiving slots extending from front to rear thereof, uprights disposed at the rear end of said bed member to project upwardly therefrom and having vertical slots therein, a work clamp member having a rear member provided with journals engaged in said vertical slots in said uprights for pivotal and vertical adjustment therein, said work clamp member having a plurality of blade receiving slots therein aligned with said blade receiving slots of said bed member when the work clamp member is in work clamping position, the upper surface of said work clamp member being adapted to slidably support a cutter device having a blade adapted to be disposed through the aligned slots in said bed member and clamp member, a

coil spring connected at one end to said bed member and at the other end of said work clamp member and acting to clampingly hold the rear end of said work clamp member in work engaging position and also to yieldably support it in retracted position.

7. An apparatus of the class described comprising a bed member provided with supports for supporting it in an elevated position relative to a surface on which it is disposed, and having a plurality of laterally spaced cutter receiving slots extending from front to rear thereof, uprights disposed at the rear end of said bed member to project upwardly therefrom and having vertical slots therein, a work clamp member having a rear member provided with journals engaged in said vertical slots in said uprights for pivotal and vertical adjustment therein, said work clamp member having a plurality of blade receiving slots therein aligned with said blade receiving slots of said bed member when the work clamp member is in work clamping position, the upper surface of said work clamp, member being adapted to slidably support a cutter 5 device having a blade adapted to be disposed through the aligned slots in said bed member and clamp member.

3. An apparatus of the class described comprising a bed member provided with supports for supporting it in an elevated position relative to a surface on which it is disposed, and having a plurality of laterally spaced cutter receiving slots extending from front to rear thereof, a work clamp member mounted on said bed member for adjustment to and from worlr clamping position and having a plurality of blade receiving slots therein aligned with said blade receiving slots of said bed member when the work clamp member is in work clamping position, the upper surface of said Work clamp member being adapted to slidably support a cutter device having a blade adapted to be disposed through the aligned slots in said bed member and clamp member, and spring means acting to clampingly hold said work clamp member in work engaging position and to also yieldably support it in retracted Work releasing position.

9. An apparatus of the class described comprising a bed member provided with supports for supporting it in an elevated position relative to a surface on which it is disposed, and having a plurality of laterally spaced cutter receiving slots therein, a Work clamp member mounted on said bed member for adiustment to and from work clamping position and having a plurality of blade receiving slots therein aligned with said blade receiving slots of said bed member when the work clamp member is in Work clamping position, the upper surface of said Work clamp member being adapted to slidably support a cutter device having a blade adapted to be disposed through the aligned slots in said bed member and clamp member, and spring means acting to clampingly hold said Work clamp member in work engaging position and to also yieldably support it in retracted work releasing position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 228,245 6/80 Brady 269203 X 816,529 3/06 Burt 269-872 1,095,292 10/11 Palmer 269-457 X 1,275,899 8/18 Freydberg 269295 1,520,149 12/24 Shockey 269295 K 2,041,240 5/36 Gluesing 269295 X ROBERT C. RIORDON, Primary Examiner. 

9. AN APPARATUS OF THE CLASSED DESCRIBED COMPRISING A BED MEMBER PROVIDED WITH SUPPORTS FOR SUPPORTING IT IN AN ELEVATED POSITION RELATIVE TO A SURFACE ON WHICH IT IS DISPOSED, AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF LATERALY SPACED CUTTER RECEIVING SLOTS THEREIN, A WORK CLAMP MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID BED MEMBER FOR ADJUSTMENT TO AND FROM WORK CLAMPING POSITION AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF BLADE RECEIVING SLOTS THEREIN ALIGNED WITH SAID BLADE RECEIVING SLOTS OF SAID BED MEMBER WHEN THE WORK CLAMP MEMBER IS IN WORK CLAMPING POSITION, THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID WORK CLAMAP MEMBER BEING ADAPTED TO SLIDABLY SUPPORT A CUTTER DEVICE HAVING A BLADE ADATPED TO BE DISPOSED THROUGH THE ALIGNED SLOTS IN SAID BED MEMBER AND CLAMP MEMBER, AND SPRING MEANS ACTING TO CLAMPINGLY HOLD SAID WORK CLAMP MEMBER IN WORK ENGAGING POSITION AND TO ALSO YIELDABLY SUPPORT IT IN RETRACTED WORK RELEASING POSITION. 